Bibliography for Level 6, Unit 9:
North America and the Caribbean in the Modern Age

The books listed below may be available through publishers, distributors such as bookstores or online retailers, or library systems.

Independent Reading

EASY

Immigrant Kids

by Russell Freedman. Puffin Books, 1980

Text and period photographs chronicle the life of immigrant children at home, school,
work, and play during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Kids Explore America's Hispanic Heritage

by students in grades 3-7. John Muir Publications, 1992

A product of the Westridge Young Writers Workshop, this collection describes
the history of Hispanic Americans, their cultural festivities, and the contributions of
prominent individuals.

Kids Explore the Heritage of Western Native Americans

Westridge Young Writers. John Muir Publications, 1995

The story of six families in different Native American nations.

Songs from the Loom: A Navajo Girl Learns to Weave

by Monty Roessel. Lerner Publications, 1995

A young Navajo girl learns to weave, builds her own table loom, and learns
the folklore and songs of the loom.

Take a Trip to Haiti

by John Griffiths. Franklin Watts Ltd., 1989

An introduction to the geography, history, government, economy, people, and
culture of Haiti.

A Wave in Her Pocket

by Lynn Joseph. Clarion Books, 1991

A young girl from Trinidad retells the stories of her great-aunt.
The tales are exciting and mysterious.

AVERAGE

Canada (Children of the World Series)

by David K. Wright. Gareth Stevens, Inc., 1991

Looks at everyday life in Canada today through the eyes of Rachel, a girl
living in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Also surveys the civilization, history, culture,
and geography of Canada.

El Guero

by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino. Farrar, Strauss, & Giroux, 1989

Describes the courageous boyhood of Porfirio Trevino Arrelo -- El Guero, the
Blond One -- whose father was exiled by Porfirio Diaz in 1864 and who fled to
Baja California with his family.

Going Home

by Nicholasa Mohr. Bantam Books, 1986

Twelve-year-old Felita leaves New York City, her family, friends, and new
boyfriend for a summer vacation in a remote mountain village in Puerto Rico. After
much difficulty, she finds her place in that island world.

Make It Work! North American Indians

by Andrew Haslam and Alexandra Parsons. Thomson Learning, 1995

An overview of North American Indian life that asks questions about the past.
Included are directions for making replicas of items Native American people used
long ago.

Morning Girl

by Michael Dorris. University of Oklahoma Press, 1992

Describes life on an island in pre-Columbian America and includes an account of
the arrival of the first Europeans.

CHALLENGING

Kim/Kimi

by Hadley Irwin. Puffin Books, 1987

Japanese American girl travels from Iowa to California to experience
life in the Japanese American community where her father was raised.

Land of Dreams

by Joan Lowery Nixon. Bantam Books, 1994

In 1902, 16-year-old Kristin travels with her family to Minnesota, where she
finds herself frustrated by the restrictions placed on what girls of her age
are expected or allowed to do.

Lost in the Barrens

by Farley Mowat. Little, Brown & Co., 1956

Two young men must survive a northern Canadian winter after becoming lost on a
hunting expedition.

Nunavut

by Lyn Hancock. Lerner Publishing, 1995

An overview of the social life and customs of the Inuit, and the history of their
successful efforts to have the Canadian government grant them jurisdiction over
Nunavut.

Toussaint, the Black Liberator

by Ronald Syme. William Morrow, 1971

Relates Toussaint L'Ouverture's dramatic struggle to free the black people of the
French colony of Saint Domingue, and his eventual tragic end in one of
Napoleon's prisons.

When the Legends Die

by Hal Borland. Bantam Books, 1964

Thomas Black Boy dedicates himself to killing the old Indian legends that gave him
distinction and pride, and becomes an empty old man. He achieves spiritual rebirth and a new
maturity by embracing his heritage again.

Read Aloud and Reference Books

READ ALOUD BOOKS

America Street: A Multicultural Anthology of Stories

by Anne Mazer. Persea Books, Inc., 1993

Fourteen short stories by American authors from diverse racial and cultural
backgrounds.

Canto Familiar

by Gary Soto. Harcourt Brace, 1995

Twenty-five poems about the pleasures and difficulties that Mexican American
children experience growing up.

Mama Rocks, Papa Sings

by Nancy Van Laan. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1995

A Haitian girl describes how her parents' house fills up with babies as relatives
drop off their children on their way to work.

REFERENCE BOOKS

Dominican Republic

by Alexander Creed. Chelsea House, 1987

Surveys the history, topography, people, and culture of the Dominican
Republic, with an emphasis on its current economy, industry, and place
in the political world.

Mexico, the People

by Bobbie Kalman. Crabtree Publishing, 1993

Looks at the way of life of Mexican people, including family life,
education, religion, city and village life, and work.

Women in American Indian Society

by Rayna Green. Chelsea House, 1992

Examines the life and culture of Native American women and
profiles several women who made significant contributions.